Thursday, June 13, 2013

GEELONG is set for a multi-million dollar windfall after tickets to Fleetwood Mac's appearance at A Day on the Green sold out in record time.

It took just 90 minutes for the 14,000 tickets to sell for the November 30 concert to be held at The Hill Winery.

Geelong Otway Tourism boss Roger Grant labelled the demand for the performance as a welcome respite following a string of bad jobs news recently.

"Tourism brings more than $1 billion to the region every year and you cannot underestimate the importance of events like this," he said.

"This type of event will bring in millions of dollars."

A Day on The Green promoter Michael Newton said yesterday's ticket frenzy was expected.

Mr Newton said the hype about one of the best-known bands in the world hitting our region was overwhelming.

"From the very first moment the concert was announced, the buzz has been just phenomenal," he said.

"We're absolutely delighted to be presenting this much-loved iconic band."

Following festivals such as Lorne's Falls, Meredith, the National Celtic Festival at Portarlington and local festivals at Apollo Bay, Queenscliff and Anglesea, music is becoming big business.

Mr Grant said the ability to host such events - coupled with the natural beauty of the Great Ocean Road and the Bellarine Peninsula - made the region an attractive destination.

"There are some terrific festivals and we now have a genuine competitive advantage in a national sense," Mr Grant said.

"Last weekend's Celtic Festival was just fabulous and music is recognised in our strategy as an important link.

"We have a great reputation and are ideally placed to take advantage of the increasing numbers of people who are doing three and four-day getaways."

Two concerts in the Day on the Green series were held at The Hill earlier this year.

In February about 7000 people watched Australian rock legends Hoodoo Gurus, The Angels with Dave Gleeson, Ross Wilson, Dragon and Boom Crash Opera, while nearly 10,000 people turned up to see Neil Young and his band Crazy Horse.

Charlotte got their songbird back... but didn't get their "Songbird". The final song of the night (Songbird) wasn't p...

Mick Fleetwood and Anthony BozzaPlay On: Now, Then and Fleetwood Mac

In April, 2013 New York Times Author Anthony Bozza began working with legendary drummer Mick Fleetwood on his life story, which will span the entire history of the band that bears his name.

In this candid, intimate portrait of a life lived in music, Mick Fleetwood sheds new light on well-known points in his history, including many incredible moments of recording and touring with Fleetwood Mac, as well as personal insights from a man who has been a major player in blues and rock 'n' roll since his teens.

The group Fleetwood Mac has sold over 140 million records worldwide, and they continue to attract a huge following, selling out their biggest arena tour ever in 2013, decades after their debut. Finally, the group's admirers will have a unique portrait of what made Mick and the rest of the group tick in the midst of their massive success and personal trials.

Christine McVie interview with The Works, the magazine of BASCA - British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors, by Darren Haynes. Read the full interview with Christine via The Works Magazine online at BASCA.org

Really great interview. Christine talks about her Lifetime Achievement Award she received from BASCA... About songwriting, collaborating with Lindsey Buckingham. The new Fleetwood Mac album, co-writing with Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac's upcoming World Tour. Here's one nugget of info for the UK:

"According to Christine McVie (with a caveat to stand corrected if she's wrong) the band is booked to add a European leg to their world tour. This will coincide with the release of the new album.I think we're doing four nights at The O2 around Spring time next year, you know April around that kind of date. If I'm wrong on that, then I'm gonna get hung drawn and quartered".
Here is the audio from the presentation of Christine's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ivors.

“Most of these songs were written between 1969 and 1987. One was written in 1994 and one in 1995. I included them because they seemed to belong to this special group. Each song is a lifetime. Each song has a soul. Each song has a purpose. Each song is a love story… They represent my life behind the scenes, the secrets, the broken hearts, the broken hearted and the survivors. These songs are the memories - the 24 karat gold rings in the blue box. These songs are for you,” commented Nicks.

FLEETWOOD MAC NEWS ON FACEBOOK

FLEETWOOD MAC NEWS ON TWITTER

NEW ALBUM IN THE WORKS
Christine was a guest on the Ken Bruce radio program on BBC Radio 2 and was featured each morning between Oct 7th and 11th choosing the "Tracks of My Years". Each day included a short interview clip with Christine along with her track choice and why. During the last day Christine revealed that she's currently working on new material and hopefully a forthcoming solo album saying its a return to her musical sound of the 70's.